Ask Brother Ash #4

Question: "Brother Ash — There are so many Conjure methods of attracting money. What is your favorite? Or which is the most effective? Thanks!"

Personally I favor mojo hands and money charms that can be carried with me. I don't think that any one method is more effective than another, it's all a matter of preference and taste in my opinion. I have also had good results with "Trained Hunting Money", you can find that method here . Maintaining a money altar can be beneficial if you have the space and time for it weekly. I have one, but must confess that I am not as diligent with working it as I could be. I also highly recommend Jason Miller's book "Financial Sorcery". It is the most in depth book on the subject and covers much more than just spells and conjure. When it comes to making money, knowledge is power. To me money magic is equal parts knowledge or financial literacy, spell work, and good ol' fashioned hustle. The conjure methods that you chose should be in line with how you plan on acquiring the money, it could through a raise at work, gambling, expanding business, getting a loan, etc. Be flexible in the conjure methods that you employ.

Outside of spell knowledge I would suggest Tim Ferris's "Four Hour Work Week", Gary Vaynerchuk's "Crush it!", and I dig a little bit of Ramit Sethi as well.

I hope that helps answer your question a bit. 

Funny Mutha...

  Shut Yo Mouth!

Last night I accomplished something that I have only talked about doing for years. I tried my hand at stand up comedy in a competition called "Clash of the Comics". It is actually geared toward aspiring professional comics that are already in the scene. I wanted to throw myself in the deep end and either sink or swim. I am happy to report that I "swam" quite nicely. As I mentioned before I have been in a couple of bands so I am not a stranger to performing for crowds, particularly ones lubricated with alcohol. Being a sorcerer though, there was no way I wasn't going to do a little work to add to my chances of success.

I started out the day by feeding my High John Jack Ball (see I am not only the president, I'm also a client). While doing so I also set out a shot of whiskey for Ol' High John, and lit a purple candle in his honor. I thanked him for the help he has given me, and asked him to help me conquer the crowd later that night. While driving around that afternoon, I found myself behind a car with a license plate that read "BRE RABBIT". For those that don't know Brer Rabbit is also trickster character and some of his tales and traits share a similar African lineage with High John. When working with spirits, it's always good to keep an eye out for little signs such as this. It's also best to research that spirit as much as possible to make sure that you would know what kind of symbols and signs they may use to communicate with you.

When it came time to determine what order everyone would perform, we all had to draw cards. I pulled a 9 of spades. If had been thinking strictly in terms of divination and the Tarot, I would have seen this as a bad sign. Seeing as I am a conjurer I know better. The number 9  is a lucky and powerful number in conjure work that often appears in spells for mastery, domination, and commanding. Something you will observe often in conjure work is that what others may consider negative or unlucky, is quite the opposite. Conjure is very antinomian at its core. I  also interpreted he spades or swords to mean that I was going to "kill it", which I did.   Going with your gut when deciphering omens and signs can serve you better then going by the book. As long as you can do it and be honest with yourself as well.

While I waited to take the stage, I took the time to do some energy work and a quick spell of sorts. I was doing some breathing to relax, of course the double of Jack Daniel's was helping with that as well. After a few cycles of breathing I started to tune into the overall vibe and energy of the room and bring it into my center. The vibe of the room was pretty good, It was a small crowd that was relaxed and there to be entertained. Not a single heckler in the bunch. I then directed this energy from my center and into the palm of my right hand forming it into a sphere. Once I could feel this as a strong and real connection to the crowd in the palm of my hand, I thrust my hand into my pocket and put the energy there with the rest of my charms. From then on out as far I was concerned the crowed was in my pocket, I owned that room. There was a brief moment in my 5 minute set that I felt as if I lost them for a bit. With a little bit of NLP style anchoring I put my hand in my pocket for a brief second to remind myself, and I got them right back. With a little tweaking this technique can be applied to any setting where you have to address a group.

Most importantly with any magical act, and performance I made sure to just relax, have fun, and let things flow. I have been invited to come out to some open mics, so I am going to play it by ear, and see where this goes. Remember that "all the world is a stage" blah blah blah. Kick ass, take names, and rock out with your...


"You must have the Devil in you to succeed in the arts." Voltaire
"Don't quote me boy cuz I ain't said shit." Eazy-E  

Review: Kenaz Filan's "The New Orleans Voodoo Handbook".

With the “New Orleans Voodoo Handbook” Kenaz Filan gives readers a guide not only to Voodoo as it is practiced in the city, but also the culture and history that has shaped it. Someone looking for a simple cookbook of spells and formulas will be sorely disappointed. The author being an initiate of Haitian Voudon knows that the way the religion is truly taught is through its stories, and this book has plenty of them. Part 1 of the book uses the first six chapters to cover the colorful history of Louisiana, and New Orleans. Beginning with La Salles Expedition, and covering topics such as the beginning of the industrial revolution, Jim Crow laws, and Hurricane Katrina along the way. This section also details the works of writers that have contributed to the study and preservation of local Voodoo lore, like Zora Neal Hurston with her seminal work “ Of Mules and Men”, and Robert Tallant author of “Voodoo in New Orleans”, and the novelization of Marie Laveau’s life, “Voodoo Queen”. The author manages to pack a lot of information into the first 56 pages of this book, and gives the reader a real feel for the roots of Voodoo in the Crescent City.

Part 2 of the handbook covers the various colorful traditions of New Orleans. There is a great primer on Mardi Gras, the party that the city has become famous (or infamous) for. You’ll learn not only the Roman and pagan history of the festival, but also how the celebration as we know it today has come to be. From there, Filan moves on to music with great stories about Dixie Land Jazz, Delta Blues, and Zydeco. Of course no book about New Orleans, Voodoo or otherwise would complete without discussing the cuisine that is made there. Covering local fare such as Pralines, Crawfish, Coffee with Chicory, and my personal favorite Gumbo, you really get a taste (bad pun intended) for the local flavor. The food many not seem to have much to do with Voodoo on the surface, but dig a little deeper and there is a correlation. Much like the rootwork that took shape in the city, the food of Louisiana took whatever they had available and made magic not only for the individual, but for the community as well. To this day, even though I learned some of my conjure formulas from my mother she is still more proud of, and secretive about her Gumbo recipe. That should tell you something right there. This part of the book also acts a guide to many of the local businesses and institutions that help preserve the local Voodoo customs and add character to the city. Included are places such as The Voodoo Spiritual Temple, Island of Salvation Botanica,and Boutique du Vampyre (if you look in the background of a documentary on “Real-life Vampires shot by ABC in 2009 you will see a certain conjurer standing in the background out front of the boutique). Part 2 ends with a section about “Priests, Priestesses, Houngans, Mambos, and Chicken Men” that have graced the city over the years. This includes the Legendary Dr. John, the Seven Sisters, and Fred “Chicken Man” Staten. I found the part about the Seven Sisters to be one of the best parts in this section as there is very little information on these legendary sisters that is readily available.

Parts 3 and 4 of this book cover the Spirits and practices of New Orleans respectively. While I was surprised at the omission of certain Lwa and spirits such as Ghede, I understand that this a book on Voodoo and it’s spirits that are unique to that region and not those that are also traditionally given service in Haiti. The Spirits sections give lore and details for petitioning and developing relationships with figures such as the Virgin Mary, Li Grand Zombi, Papa Labas, Black Hawk, and folk Saints like St. Expedite, and St. Marron. There is plenty of prayers, and information on offerings to get you started working with these powerful spirits. I already plan on making petitions to some of these spirits real soon myself. Even though the Ghede may have not been talked about, Importance of the dead, and the city’s cemeteries is covered. The practices section also briefly covers the use of oils, candles, creation of mojo/gris gris, and spirit dolls. The novice will find some useful recipes for oils and basic info on using candles but there isn’t much here for the experienced practitioner. Even still the information on the roots of these practices is as important to know as the how so I appreciated that aspect of this chapter. There is also a brief look at divination but with very little instruction. The book ends with a guide for those visiting the city, and stories of citizens of note that have called the city home. There are great tips for dining for those of expensive taste and others on a budget. Of course Music venues and the legendary cemeteries are covered for tourist as well.

Make no mistake about Kenaz Filan’s , ”The New Orleans Handbook” is the book that many have been waiting on in regards to the subject. It is a must have for anyone interested in New Orleans Voodoo either as a solitary practitioner or folklorist. I personally don’t think it quite hits the mark as a “handbook” but it is a great primer that his given a lot to go on, and more places to visit when I make my way to “N’awlins” this November for the Folk Magic Festival.